Defense Innovation Board's AI Principles Project

Message from the DIB

As the Department of Defense (DoD) moves forward in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning across its functions, in accordance with the National Defense Strategy and DoD AI Strategy, it is imperative to keep pace with modern business practices to maintain our strategic and technological advantage. Such an approach involves serious reflection and inquiry, a commitment to responsible research and innovation, and the safe and ethical use of these technologies.

We have witnessed how deeply committed the women and men who work in the Department are to ethics: avoiding civilian casualties, adhering to international humanitarian law, and collaborating with allies in international fora to advance international law and norms. Additionally, the Department extensively tests all its systems, especially weapons systems, and systems employing AI will likely be subjected to more scrutiny than ever before.

The DIB noted that -- as with all new technologies -- rigorous work is needed to ensure new tools are used responsibly and ethically. The stakes are high in fields such as medicine or banking, but nowhere are they higher than in national security.

For this reason, in July 2018, the Department asked the DIB to undertake an effort to help catalyze a dialogue and set of consultations to establish a set of AI Principles for Defense, particularly while the adoption of this technology is at a nascent stage. The DIB is well-suited to enjoin business, academic, and non-profit perspectives with their accumulated insights into defense, and to engage a diverse array of stakeholders in our society who have important views to bring to this discussion. To that end, the DIB intends to make this process as robust, inclusive, and transparent as practical.

In August 2018, the Department formed an informal, internal DoD Principles & Ethics Working Group that includes FVEY partners and meets regularly to assist the DIB in gathering information and to promote cooperation. This effort aides us in mapping the internal ecosystem of stakeholders in DoD working on AI.

The Defense Innovation Board Science & Technology Subcommittee held a series of Roundtable Discussions to seek advice from leading experts in the field. The purpose of these Roundtable Discussions was to challenge rather than reach consensus. The diverse perspectives gathered served to inform the Board member's research and preparations as they develop a set of proposed AI principles for the Department of Defense.

The first roundtable took place at Harvard University on January 22, 2019. Due to the federal government closure at the time, the corresponding public listening session had to be canceled.

The second roundtable took place at Carnegie Mellon University on March 13, 2019, and the public listening session took place the following day, on March 14. Watch the public listening session here:

The third roundtable will take place at Stanford University on April 26, preceded by the public listening session on April 25.

The DIB will hold its next quarterly public meeting in the summer of 2019. Board members will discuss the AI Principles project as part of the meeting agenda. This session will also be livestreamed.

In late October 2019, the DIB will introduce the final draft of the AI Principles and vote on them. This session will also be livestreamed.

We will continue to post updates leading up to the DIB’s October public meeting.

The following individuals participated in a roundtable discussion with DIB members and shared their individual perspective on the topic. These individuals and their organizations do not necessarily endorse the principles or any other product that ultimately results from the DIB's expert consultations. We are grateful for their participation in the project by sharing their insights, experiences, and perspectives.

Mr. Jonathan Zittrain, Professor of International Law, Harvard Law School; Professor, Harvard Kennedy School; and Professor of Computer Science, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Several additional experts participated in a roundtable, but requested that their names be withheld.

In addition, the following individuals provided their input to the DIB on this initiative outside of a roundtable setting. Like the roundtable discussion participants listed above, they too do not necessarily endorse the principles or any other product that ultimately results from the DIB's expert consultations. We will continue to update this list before the DIB releases the final version of the principles in October 2019.